A PLANT-SAFE PRIMER
Many plants found in and around Orange County homes and gardens are capable of inflicting at least some discomfort if they are ingested or come in contact with the skin. Here is a list of many of those plants, the problems they can cause and what to do if you, your children or pets come into contact with them: 1. Non-toxic: Considered non-poisonous and not dangerous. Illness very unlikely. In case of illness, dilute with fluids (water or milk).
Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Alyssum (Botanical Name)
Aralia, Japanese (Fatsia japonica)
Asparagus Fern (Asperagus setoceus plumosus )
Aster (Botanical Name)
Baby Tears (Helxine soleirolii)
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exalta)
Bottle Brush (Callistemon species)
Bouganvilla (species)
Bridal Veil (Tradescantia Bridal Veil )
Calla Lily (Begonia sempiforens)
Camelia (Thea japonica)
Coleus (species)
Corn Plant (Dracena fragrans)
Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummularifolia)
Croton (Codiaeum)
Dracena (species)
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Elephant’s Ear Fern (Platycerium angloense)
Emerald Ripple (Peperonia caperata)
Eugenia (species)
Fuchsia (Botanical Name)
Geranium (Pelargonium species)
Hens Chicks (Echeueria imbricata)
Hoya--Wax Plant (Hoya exotica)
Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum chilense)
Impatiens (species)
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
Jasmine (Jasminum officinals or grandiflorum )
Lavender
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Marigold (Ecklonis species)
Monkey Plant (Ruellia makoyana)
Mother of Pearls (Graptopetalum paraguayense)
Natal Plum (Carissa grandiflora)
Painted Nettle (Coleus)
Palm (species)
Pampus Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea ekegans)
Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
Petunia (Botanical Name)
Phoenix Roebelenii (Botanical Name)
Piggyback Begonia (Begonia hispida cucullifera )
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii)
Pilea (Botanical Name)
Pink Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes sanguinolenta)
Ponytail Plant (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Purple Passion/Purple Velvet (Gynura)
Sedum (Botanical Name)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum species)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)
Umbrella Plant (Eriognum umbellatum)
Velvet Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albifora)
Wandering Jew--Red and White (Zebrina pendula)
Warnecki (Draceana deremensis)
Zebra Plant (species)
Zinnia (Botanical Name)
2. Oxalates: Contain irritating substances known as oxalate salts. Contact with the sap may cause burning, swelling and pain. In case of contact, wash with soap and water; if internal, rinse mouth, dilute with fluids. Call poison center. Also observe for problems swallowing and breathing, increased drooling and irritation and swelling of mouth, lips and tongue.
Arrowhead Vine (Syngonuium podophyllum)
Begonia (species)
Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
Caladium (species)
Calla Lily (Zantedeachia species)
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Crysanthemum (species)
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia amoena)
Elephant’s Ear (Senicio caladium)
Mother-in-Law Plant (Caladium)
Nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum)
Philodendron (species)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Schefflera (species)
Split Leaf Philodendron (Monsters deliciusa)
Umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
3. Toxic (or potentially toxic): May contain a wide variety of toxic substances and should be considered with caution. May cause a range of problems from mild irritation to severe organ damage, depending on the plant.
African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Agapanthus (Botanical Name)
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe Vera (Botanical Name)
Azalea (Rhodendron occientale)
Bird of Paradise (Strelizia reginea)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)
Cyclamen (Botanical Name)
Dafodil (Narcissus)
Diathus (species)3
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Heart Ivy (Hedera helix)
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Holly (Illex)
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
Juniper (Juniperus species)
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus)
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria species)
Lobelia (Botanical Name)
Majesty (Philodendron histatum)
Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea species)
Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera Helix “needlepoint” )
Nightshade (Solanium nigrum)
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Parlor Ivy (Philodendron cordatum)
Periwinkle (Vinca species)
Pyracanthra (Botanical Name)
Rhododendron (species)
Rosary Bean (Abrus precatarius)
Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)
Spider Mum /Golden Lace (Chrysanthemum mortifollium)
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyuanus or senecio herreinus)
4. Dermatitis: Contact may cause a skin rash, itching or irritation. Treat by washing skin with soap and water, but be careful not to rub in eyes. If irritation persists, contact poison center or a doctor.
African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Agapanthus (Botanical Name)
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe Vera (Botanical Name)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Cactus (species)
Caladium (species)
Candytuft (species)
Elephant’s Ear (Senicio caladium)
Ficus Benjamina (Botanical Name)
Fiddleleaf Fig (Ficus lyrala)
Heart Ivy (Hedera helix)
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus)
Marigold (Tagetes species)
Mother-in-Law Plant (Caladium)
Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera Helix “needlepoint” )
Parlor Ivy (Philodendron cordatum)
Philodendron (species)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Rubber Tree (Ficus elasticus decora)
Schefflera (species)
Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)
Spider Mum /Golden Lace (Chrysanthemum mortifollium)
Umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
5. Information on these plants is incomplete, but seems to indicate they may cause ill effects. Rinse mouth and/or dilute with fluids.
Gardenia (species)
Grape Ivy (Cissue rhombiferia)
Pansy (Viola tricolor)
Mother-in-Law Tongue (Sanservieria trifasciata)
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Pot Mum (Chrysanthemum mortiforium)
Sweet Pea (lathyrus odoratus)
If you have a question about a plant or need help with treating exposure to what you think is a poisonous plant, call the UC Irvine Regional Poison Center at (714) 634-5988 or (800) 544-4404. Because it is difficult to furnish names of all plants from a telephone conversation, the center recommends making a list of all the plants you do not know that are in your yard or home and take them to a nursery so they can be identified.
Source: UC Irvine Regional Poison Center
